The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-07-28
A BEAUTIFUL TRIRUTE.

The letter which Senator ID. W. Voorhees,
wrote TO the committee in charge of the
unwilling of the soldiers monument at
Logansport, Ind, is as beautiful and touch
ing tribute to the Union soldier as ever was
penned. Nothing could be nobler than the
spirit il breathes. We give it below entire:
GENTLEMEN: Ihnve 50 anxiously desired to be
present at the unvailng OF your monument in
honor Of the dead soldiers Of Cass County that
have postponed my answer to your invitation until
this last moment, To my very deep regret find
i cannot be there.
Others viii address you with more eloquence
and In better phrase than could employ. but there
is no heart in Indiana that beats more responsive
60 your noble purpose than mine. The soldiers Of
Indiana-more than 10000 strong-were on every
blood-stained battlefield for the Union and wher-
the flag with its stars and stripes Of glorywas
displayed there they rallied and upheld it. When
the dead and wounded Of the great battles Of the
war were gathered up and cared for. Indiana sol
ders were found at the flrthcst front and where
danger and honor were alike the greatest.
rejoice that monument 10 the memory OF those
who fell to rise more has been erected in your
beautiful city the banks Of the beautiful Wabash
They fell in the bright morning OF their lives, for
the Constitution, the laws and the Union Of the
States They gave up this world with It's sunshine,
It's starry heavens and all its unfolding gories in
order that the Government should remain as our
fathers made 1t. They tore themselves away from
weeping kindred, from mothers, wives, sisters and
all whom the heart holds dear. They gave up
home with all the precious and inexpressible en-
dearments which cling to that hallowed spot and
went down into the valley and shadow Of death in
order that perpetuity and permanent peace might
bless, in all the coming ages, the United American
Republic.
No memorial honors can be too great no monu-
mental shafts too high for the heroic dead who
thus died. Nor can any rewards or benefaeiions be
too munihcent for those who survived and came
back TO us from their baptism OF blood aud fire.
Let the American people. therefore, as much in a
spirit ofjustcc az Of generosity unvail monuments
OF brass and marble To tine soldiers who perished
and nj the same time provide by law Literally and
manfully for the support and comfort Of those who
survived the deadly perils they encountered. The
names OF nearly % 600 Indiana soldiers together
with the widows and fatheress, are on the pension
rolls at indianapolis and every dollar of the millions
they receive is just tribute, on the part Of the
Government TO the patriotism courage and suffer-
ing Of those Who in the hour OF its extremity prof
fered their lives for its preservation.
That pension roll at indianapolis, more promptly
paid by that Indiana veteran. Col Zollinger. than
any other roll in the United States and increasing
in stature and dimensions every day. is, IN itself
mighty monument to the soldier and worthy of
remembrance and mention whenever and where
ever Indiana soldiers are honored.
Again expressing my regret that cannot be with
| you. / am with great respect,
Your Friend and Fellow Citizen,
| ID. w. VOORHEES,.